Tow Dolly??

[RJOL]

I'm going to be towing a car from Washington State to the Chicago area, on August 1st. I can either rent a tow dolly one way, or use one that I have to tow back empty from the Chicago area to Washington, when I've dropped the car. Here's the question, for those of you that have lots of experience with tow dollys: Is there any problem towing one empty for long distances. I've been told they can bounce around alot, when empty, as they don't have springs? Can I just lower the air pressure in the dolly tires for the return trip to help reduce the bounce? Any suggestions will be appreciated... .

 

[MMiller]

Just throw it in the bed of the truck on your way out. They aren't very heavy. Yes they will bounce alot. I towed a car back from arizona to Iowa. Pulled nice.



If you got some help at both ends of your trip set it in the truck. Yeah I use the bed of my truck a little agressivly sometimes. Gravel, bricks, rocks, tools, axels, t-cases, scrap iron, fire wood, sticks, and anything else that can be put in a truck.



Michael

 

[tpuig]

You might consider bringing a car back West for somebody. Might pay for your trip.

TP

 

[RJOL]

Originally posted by MMiller

... If you got some help at both ends of your trip set it in the truck.

I thought about doing that, but the dolly I have access to weighs about 800-900 lbs. Also, you would have to put it across the bed rails, with the wheels over the sides. I have my sprayed on liner over the rails, but I'm not crazy about that kind of weight over the rails. Thanks for the ideas...

 

[RJOL]

Originally posted by tpuig

You might consider bringing a car back West for somebody. Might pay for your trip.

TP

Well... . this could work if a TDR member has a small, front wheel car (no Caddys, trucks, or clunkers please), that they want taken back to the Washington State area. I will be leaving DeKalb, IL on about August 7/8th and I will be coming back via I-80 / I-84 (IA, NE, WY, UT, ID, OR, WA). PM me if your're interested...

 

[JBlock]

Tows empty Regularly

I have got a friend who tows regularly all over the USa with his tow dolly empty. It doe not seem to be a problem for him at all.



He is all draging heavy Packard Classic cars back to washington State on the tow dolly.



Good Luck

 

[Brand-X]

My son took a dolly to Chicargo on his bed rails and now has nice dented rails... not a good idea you can tow it and yes it will bounce should not be a problem

 

[RJOL]

Okay... thanks for the info... I think I'll just lower the air pressure and tow it back empty... I don't care if it bounces a little, as long as it stays put behind the truck and doesn't decide to get sideways or bounce into the next lane...

 

[tpuig]

The best deals on project cars always seem to be many states away. Then it's not such a good deal anymore...

But it's car show season, and folks have an uncontrollable urge to buy out of state. Check the Yesterday's tractors list if you don't want to come back empty.

http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/haulquery.pl

Otherwise, just keep it hooked and take your time. Shouldn't bounce too much. But don't forget it's there and try to back up...

TP